Dale Kocevski, Colby College

Title: Illuminating the Black Hole - Galaxy Connection (Video)

Abstract:  Supermassive black holes, and the active galactic nuclei (AGN) that they power, are thought to play an integral role in the evolution of galaxies by acting to regulate, and eventually suppress, the star formation activity of their hosts.  I will discuss recent efforts to test this proposed connection by studying the demographics of galaxies undergoing active black hole growth.  In particular, I will highlight recent results from the CANDELS survey, which has used new infrared imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope to study of properties of galaxy back when the Universe was a quarter of its current age.  It is during this era of cosmic history that the nuclear activity and star formation activity in the Universe are at their peak.  I will discuss what CANDELS is currently revealing about the mechanisms that fuel AGN activity at this epoch and the connection between black hole growth and the emergence of the first generation of passive galaxies in the Universe.